DEKRA Takes Ownership of the Lausitzring: Center for Automated and Networked Driving Created
Expert organization DEKRA will take ownership of the Lausitzring in Klettwitz in South Brandenburg on November 1, 2017.
Together with the DEKRA Technology Center (DTC) in close proximity to the racing track, the biggest producer-independent center for automated and networked driving in Europe is created. It is supposed to be a central component of an international test connection in Europe and Asia.
DEKRA takes over Lausitzring from DEKRA on Vimeo.
DEKRA investing more than 30 million euros in Klettwitz
“We will be investing more than 30 million dollars in the first stage of development of the new test compound,” announced Stefan Kölbl, Chairman of the Board of Management of DEKRA e.V. and DEKRA SE, at the signing of the contract. In Klettwitz, the creation of test facilities for autonomous driving is the focus. This is complemented by the topic of connectivity, which DEKRA primarily deals with in its lab in the Spanish city of Málaga.
The redevelopment of the Lausitzring as a test center is projected to be completed by 2018. “Development efforts cover the establishment of tracks and facilities that allow us to comprehensively test automated driving functions,” explains Clemens Klinke, Member of the Board of Management for DEKRA SE. DEKRA intends to simulate highly complex scenarios here in the future, with a high degree of flexibility. These will cover urban, extra-urban and freeway driving situations, adds Klinke. There will be two city circuits, a cross-country track and a stretch of freeway on the test oval in Klettwitz.
Driving robots, self-driving platforms and soft targets in action at the Lausitzring
The measuring equipment will include state-of-the-art systems such as driving robots, self-driving platforms and diverse soft targets, as well as mobile traffic infrastructure installations. This will allow DEKRA to test camera, laser and radar based environmental recognition systems. DEKRA will also offer educational events and training workshops covering all facets of autonomous driving. The DEKRA Technology Center should be able to provide training for up to 500 participants per day.
From early 2018, clients should also be able to access the facility in Klettwitz. The test tracks and infrastructure will be in place by the end of 2017. There are currently 48 employees working at the Lausitzring. In the near future, an additional 70 highly qualified professionals will be added to the 100 employees of the DTC.
The acquisition of the EuroSpeedway Lausitzring – the third largest race circuit in Germany after the Nürburgring and Hockenheimring – is one of DEKRA’s biggest investments of the last 15 years. EuroSpeedway GmbH successfully operated the Lausitzring by itself for the last eight years. As extensive investment in the racing track and its infrastructure were due, the company made the swift decision to sell the circa 500-hectare property to DEKRA.
Automated, but Safe!
At the Lausitzring in Klettwitz, Germany, DEKRA puts assistance systems and automated vehicle technologies through their paces, most recently also in urban environments on specially established city courses. These tests are of central importance – because acceptance by society depends on the safety and reliability of the systems.
Networking on the Road
In personal transportation, V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication is seen as the technology of the future for smoother traffic and reduced CO2 emissions. At the same time, connected driving will likely raise the capabilities of automated vehicles to a higher level in terms of safety, efficiency, and autonomy.
